Irish Squadron facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Irish Squadron
Blue Ensign of the English Navy (1625-1707)
Active	1297 - 1731
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Type	Detached Squadron
Role	Convoy Protection, Transportation, Patrol
Garrison/HQ	Milford Haven, Wales Greenock, Scotland

The Irish Squadron was a special group of naval ships. It was put together by the English Navy (and later the Royal Navy) for specific missions. This happened many times between 1297 and 1731. It was first known as the Irish Fleet.

History of the Irish Squadron

From the 1200s to the 1600s, the Irish Squadron was a temporary fleet. It was formed for important naval jobs. A senior officer was always in charge, though their title changed over time.

The Irish Squadron was one of four main fleets. The others were the Western, Northern, and Aquitaine fleets. Each had its own commander. But by 1406, they all came under one leader: the High Admiral of England, Ireland, and Aquitaine.

For a long time, the Irish Squadron operated from Milford Haven in Wales. In the 1680s, it moved its main base to Greenock, Scotland.

Early Missions and Commanders

In 1298, Edward I of England appointed Sir William de Leybourne. He became the first "Admiral of the Irish Sea." This meant he was in charge of all English ships in that area.

During the 1300s, the squadron was formed four times.

• In 1356, during the reign of Edward III of England, it protected troop ships. These ships were sailing against Scottish privateers (like legal pirates).
• Later, it helped with expeditions to Ireland ordered by Richard II of England.
  • In 1382, Sir William Spalding led the squadron.
  • In 1397, John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset was in command.
  • From January to September 1399, Thomas Percy, 1st Earl of Worcester led the fleet.

Tudor Era and Civil War

During the Tudor period (1485-1603), the squadron was used again.

• It served in the Anglo-Scottish Wars from 1539 to 1545.
• It also helped during the Desmond Rebellions (1569-1583) in Ireland. Sir William Wynter was ordered to block all sea routes into Ireland. He also had to capture any ships from a possible papal invasion force.

At the start of the First English Civil War in 1642, most of the navy was controlled by Parliament. Until 1653, the squadron was called the "Irish Guard Naval Squadron of Parliament." It played a big part in the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland from 1649 to 1651. Its size changed, but in 1645, it had 56 ships. This made it the second-largest squadron in the navy.

Later Years and Disbandment

During the Nine Years' War, the squadron fought in the Battle of Bantry Bay in May 1689. George Rooke was its commander at that time.

• In June 1690, the squadron helped capture Waterford. Rear-Admiral Cloudesley Shovell led this mission.
• In 1691, it was part of a larger naval force. This force helped transfer King William III to Ireland.

The Irish Squadron was reformed in July 1727 and again in July 1731. After that, its numbers slowly decreased until it was finally disbanded.

Years later, during the French Revolutionary Wars in 1797, the Royal Navy created a permanent naval group for the Irish Sea. This was called the Coast of Ireland Station. It was based in Cork, with repair bases at Kinsale Dockyard.

Commanders of the Irish Squadron

Many important officers commanded the Irish Squadron over the centuries. Here are some of them:

• Sir William de Leybourne was the first "Admiral of the Irish Sea" in 1297.
• Sir Gervase Alard and John of Argyll also held this title in the early 1300s.
• Later, admirals like Robert Drouss (1356) and Sir John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset (1397) led the "Irish Fleet."
• During the 1500s, Sir William Wynter was a Vice-Admiral of the Irish Squadron.
• In the 1600s, Sir Thomas Button was "Admiral of the Irish Coasts."
• During the Civil War, Vice-Admirals like Sir John Pennington and Richard Swanley commanded the "Irish Guard."
• In the late 1600s, George Rooke and Cloudesley Shovell were Rear-Admirals leading the squadron.

Squadron Size

Here's what the Irish Squadron looked like on September 1, 1689: